JP6710391B2 - Regulating member and cellulosic sponge - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a restriction member and a cellulose-based sponge that are used by being inserted into a cooling water flow passage (water jacket) provided in a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine.

In the water jacket of the internal combustion engine, a spacer as a regulating member for regulating the flow (flow rate, flow velocity, etc.) of the circulating cooling water is inserted from the opening and arranged. When inserting the spacer into the water jacket through the opening, it is desirable to eliminate the insertion load and improve the assembling property. Patent Documents 1 to 4 disclose spacers that have a small thickness before being inserted into a water jacket and have a large thickness after being inserted so that a predetermined flow of cooling water is regulated. The structures disclosed in these patent documents for improving the assembling ability by eliminating the insertion load of the spacer are roughly classified as follows.
a) A spacer configured so that the foamed rubber is fixed in a compressed state by a binder (water-soluble substance), and the binder is melted by cooling water (antifreeze liquid: LLC) flowing in the water jacket to return to an uncompressed state (patented). References 1 and 2).
b) A spacer configured so that the foamed rubber is fixed in a compressed state by a binder (thermoplastic substance), and the binder is softened or melted by the temperature of the cooling water to return to an uncompressed state (Patent Document 1). , 2, 4).
c) A spacer that is formed by blending a water-absorbing polymer material with an elastomer and absorbs the cooling water to expand the spacer (see Patent Document 3).
d) A spacer that is supported by a spring member, is compressed before insertion, and is configured to restore the spring member after insertion (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3967636 Japanese Patent No. 4149322 Japanese Patent No. 4465313 Patent No. 5593136

By the way, the spacers configured as a) to d) have the following problems, respectively.
In the cases of a) and b), it is necessary to impregnate the foamed rubber into the solution or emulsion of the binder in the manufacturing process, and therefore it is necessary to control the impregnating liquid and consider the environment. In addition, a binder component may be mixed in the LLC, which may affect the components of the LLC.
In the case of c), since the expansion direction of the water-swellable elastomer is regulated, it is necessary to integrally process the water-swellable elastomer with the core material, which requires a complicated process in manufacturing. In addition, the water-absorbent polymer material may flow out into the LLC, which may affect the components of the LLC.
In the case of d), since the compression/restoration action of the spring member is used, it is necessary to maintain the spring member in a compressed state and to incorporate a mechanical mechanism for releasing the compressed state, which is structurally complicated. Become.

In view of the above, the present inventors have paid attention to the fact that the cellulosic sponge has a property of being kept in a compressed state when compressed, but restored to a state before being compressed when contacted with water in the course of intensive research. Then, the cellulosic sponge in a compressed state is integrally supported by a support having rigidity such as a resin formed in a shape that can be arranged in the cooling water flow path, and the above-described regulation member is produced. Tried that. When the regulation member thus obtained is inserted into the water jacket, the cellulosic sponge is in a compressed state, so that the insertion load into the water jacket is unlikely to occur, and if it comes into contact with cooling water, it will not be compressed. It was found that the function of regulating the flow of the cooling water by exhibiting the function of restoring the state of the above is exhibited.

Furthermore, the present inventors have conducted research for improving the function of regulating the flow of cooling water toward the practical use of the regulating member provided with the above-mentioned cellulose-based sponge. In such research activities, since the restored cellulosic sponge is a foam, there is a water-permeable void in the sponge tissue. It was also found by the present inventors that they pass through a cellulosic sponge.

The present invention has been made based on the above findings, and provides a regulating member that can more appropriately regulate the flow of cooling water in a water jacket while utilizing the characteristics of the cellulose-based sponge, and a cellulose-based sponge used therefor. The purpose is to

A regulation member according to a first aspect of the invention is a regulation member that is arranged in a cooling water passage provided in a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine to regulate the flow of cooling water, and has a shape that can be arranged in the cooling water passage. In the sponge tissue of the cellulosic sponge, the cellulosic sponge has a formed support having rigidity and a cellulosic sponge supported by the support and capable of being restored from a compressed state by contact with cooling water. Is loaded with a filler that increases the water flow resistance of the cooling water.

The cellulosic sponge according to the second invention is a cellulosic sponge as one component of a regulating member that is disposed in a cooling water passage provided in a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine to regulate the flow of cooling water, It is characterized in that it can be restored from a compressed state by contacting with the cooling water, and a sponge tissue carries a filler for increasing the water resistance of the cooling water.

According to the regulation member and the cellulose-based sponge of the present invention, when the regulation member is arranged in the cooling water flow passage, if the cellulose-based sponge is kept in a compressed state, it can be inserted into the cooling water flow passage without a load. It will be possible. As a result, the assemblability of the regulating member to the cylinder block is improved. The cellulosic sponge comes into contact with the cooling water when the cooling water flows through the cooling water channel and restores the compressed state, so that the cellulosic sponge comes close to or comes into contact with the wall surface of the cooling water channel. The function of regulating is exerted. Further, when the cellulose-based sponge constituting the regulation member is dried in a pressurized state, hydrogen bonds between the cellulose molecules are maintained in a compressed state, while when exposed to cooling water from this state, the water molecules become cellulose molecules. It has the property of dissociating hydrogen bonds between them and restoring from the compressed state. Therefore, since the cellulosic sponge can be kept in a compressed state without using a binder solution or emulsion, the processing step of the cellulosic sponge can be simplified, and there is also a possibility that the cooling water and the environment may be adversely affected. There is no.
In addition, the presence of the filler carried in the sponge tissue of the cellulosic sponge makes it difficult for the cooling water to pass through the restored sponge tissue of the cellulosic sponge, and the cellulosic sponge makes the flow of the cooling water more effective. Can be regulated.

In the regulation member according to the present invention, the filler may be a fibrous filler.
According to this, since the fibrous filler is carried in the sponge tissue, the cellulosic sponge is reinforced, and the deformation due to the flow pressure of the cooling water in the cooling water channel is reduced. As a result, the function of regulating the flow of the cooling water is maintained high.
In this case, the fibrous filler may be carried in the sponge tissue in a state where its longitudinal direction is oriented in a direction intersecting with the flow of cooling water in the cooling water channel.
According to this, the fibrous filler is carried in the sponge tissue in a state in which the longitudinal direction is oriented in the cooling water flow direction in the cooling water flow path or in a random (non-oriented) state. The flow of cooling water can be regulated more effectively than the case where

In the regulation member according to the present invention, the filler may be a flaky filler.
According to this, since the flaky filler increases the number of portions facing the flow of the cooling water, the flow of the cooling water can be more effectively regulated.
In the regulation member according to the present invention, the flaky filler may be a rubber-like elastic material or a cellulose material.
The constituent materials of these flaky fillers are appropriately selected and adopted according to the required specifications.
Further, in the regulation member according to the present invention, the cellulose material may be composed of cellulose fibers glued together.
According to this, since the cellulose fibers constituting the flaky filler are entangled in the sponge tissue, the interfacial strength between the flaky filler and the sponge tissue is increased, and the flaky filler is easily carried in the sponge tissue.

According to the regulation member and the cellulose-based sponge of the present invention, it is possible to more appropriately regulate the flow of the cooling water in the cooling-water passage provided in the cylinder block while taking advantage of the characteristics of the cellulose-based sponge.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view showing an embodiment of a regulating member according to the present invention and showing a state of being inserted into a water jacket of a cylinder block in an internal combustion engine. It is an expanded sectional view which shows typically the XX line arrow part in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the process of assembling the restriction member of the same embodiment to the water jacket of an internal combustion engine, (a) shows the state which inserted the said restriction member into the water jacket, (b) shows inside the water jacket. It is a figure which shows the state of the said regulation member when cooling water circulates, (c) is a figure which further expanded the Y section in (b). It is a figure similar to FIG.3(c) which shows other embodiment of the regulation member which concerns on this invention. It is a cross-sectional top view which shows the principal part of the other application example of the regulation member which concerns on this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a restricting member according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows a state in which a spacer as a restricting member of the embodiment is inserted into a water jacket of a cylinder block in an internal combustion engine. A cylinder block 2 shown in FIG. 1 constitutes a three-cylinder engine (internal combustion engine) 1 for automobiles, and is provided with three cylinder bores 3... Connected in series in an adjacent state. Denoted at 2a are through holes for bolts (not shown) for integrally fastening the cylinder head 10 (see FIG. 2) to the cylinder block 2. An open deck type water jacket (cooling water passage) 4 is formed in series around the three cylinder bores 3. The cylinder block 1 is provided with a cooling water (including antifreezing liquid) inlet 2b and a cooling water outlet 2c which communicate with the water jacket 4. The cooling water discharge port 2c is pipe-connected to a radiator (not shown), and the outlet side of the radiator is pipe-connected to the cooling water introduction port 2b via a water pump (not shown). As a result, cooling water is circulated between the water jacket 4 and the radiator. When the cylinder head 10 is also provided with a water jacket (not shown), the water jacket 4 of the cylinder block 2 and the water jacket of the cylinder head 10 are configured to communicate with each other. In this case, the cylinder block 2 does not need to have the cooling water discharge port 2c, and the cylinder head 10 is provided with a cooling water discharge port to which a pipe leading to the radiator is connected.

In the portion between the adjacent cylinder bores 3 and 3 in the water jacket 4, there are formed constricted portions 4a and 4a that are close to each other. The groove widths of the constricted portions 4a, 4a are made larger than the groove widths of the other arcuate portions 4b of the water jacket 4. The groove side wall surface of the water jacket 4 is constituted by both inner wall surfaces 4c and 4d of an inner inner wall surface 4c on the cylinder bore 3 side and an outer inner wall surface 4d facing the inner inner wall surface 4c. As shown in FIG. 1, the spacer 5 of the present embodiment as a regulating member has a cylindrical spacer body (support body) 6 which can be inserted and arranged in the water jacket 4 through its opening 40. And a cellulosic sponge 7 supported by the spacer body 6. The spacer body 6 has rigidity, and is made of a molded body of hard synthetic resin in the illustrated example. Further, in the sponge structure 70 of the cellulosic sponge 7, a filling material 8 that enhances the water resistance of the cooling water is carried. In this embodiment, the filler 8 is shown to be composed of the fibrous filler 8a. As the fibrous filler 8a, in addition to natural fibers such as cellulose, ramie, cotton and pulp, organic fibers such as polyester, polyamide and acrylic, and inorganic fibers are adopted. The average fiber length of the fibrous filler 8a is larger than the average pore diameter of the cellulosic sponge. Further, in the present embodiment, the amount of the fibrous filler 8 a carried in the sponge tissue 70 is smaller than that of the cellulose component of the cellulosic sponge 7. The cellulosic sponge 7 is a porous material, and when dried under pressure, the cellulose molecules are hydrogen-bonded to maintain a compressed state, while when exposed to cooling water from this state, the water molecules become cellulose. It has the property of dissociating hydrogen bonds between molecules and restoring it from the compressed state.

The spacer 5 of this embodiment includes the spacer body 6 and a portion of the inner surface (the surface on the cylinder bore 3 side) 6a of the spacer body 6 that corresponds to the circular arc portion 4b of the water jacket 4 (six locations in the illustrated example). ) And the cellulose-based sponge 7... Such a spacer 5 is manufactured as follows. The mat-like raw material of the cellulosic sponge 7 in a foamed state in which the fibrous filler 8a is previously supported in the sponge tissue 70 is compressed in the thickness direction and dried to form a sheet-like body. As a specific example, the mat-shaped raw material of the cellulosic sponge 7 is pressed and heated by a press roller to form a sheet-shaped body. The mat-shaped raw material of the cellulosic sponge 7 is obtained by adding the fibrous filler 8a and Glauber's salt to the cellulose slurry, and kneading and extruding. The fibrous filler 8a is added in a state where it is oriented in one direction in the step of adding it to the cellulose slurry. Therefore, in the mat-shaped raw material of the cellulosic sponge 7, for example, the fibrous filler 8a is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the mat-shaped raw material and is sponge oriented in one direction of the surface area (extrusion direction). It is carried by the tissue 70. The mat-shaped raw material of the cellulosic sponge 7 is pressed by a press roller or the like in a direction orthogonal to the orientation direction of the fibrous filler 8a. Then, while the sheet-shaped body of the cellulose-based sponge 7 is cut into a predetermined shape, the spacer body 6 is separately manufactured by injection molding. After that, the cellulosic sponge 7 is fixed to a predetermined position of the spacer body 6 with an adhesive, or the corresponding portion of the spacer body 6 is heat-melted, and the cellulosic sponge 7 is fixed to this portion by heat welding. Furthermore, when the spacer body 6 is injection-molded, the cellulosic sponge 7 may be inserted to integrally mold the spacer body 6 and the cellulosic sponge 7. At this time, the cellulosic sponge 7 is positioned and fixed to the spacer body 6 so that the orientation direction b of the fibrous filler 8 a intersects the flow direction a of the cooling water in the water jacket 4. When the cellulosic sponge 7 is inserted and the spacer body 6 and the cellulosic sponge are integrally molded, the spacer body 6 is fixed to the spacer body 6 with a part of the resin impregnated in the cellulosic sponge 7. ing. That is, the cellulosic sponge 7 is directly fixed to the spacer body 6 without interposing an adhesive or the like with the spacer body 6.

The spacer 5 thus obtained is composed of a spacer body 6 and a cellulosic sponge 7... Fixedly integrated with the inner surface 6a of the spacer body 6. In this case, the cellulosic sponge 7 has not yet been restored to its pre-compression state and is fixed along the inner surface 6 a of the spacer body 6. The total thickness d of the spacer body 6 and the cellulosic sponge 7 in the compressed state is set smaller than the width D of the water jacket 4 (see FIG. 3A). Then, the spacer 5 is inserted from the opening 40 of the water jacket 4 and arranged in the water jacket 4. At the time of this insertion, since the total sum d of the thicknesses is set smaller than the width D of the water jacket 4, the insertion load of the spacer 5 can be reduced. When cooling water is introduced into the water jacket 4 through the cooling water inlet 2b and flows through the water jacket 4, each cellulosic sponge 7 is exposed to the cooling water w, and water molecules dissociate hydrogen bonds between cellulose molecules. Restore from compressed state. Due to this restoration, the surface 7a of the cellulosic sponge 7... (The surface opposite to the side fixed to the spacer body 6) is displaced to the cylinder bore 3 side and abuts against the inner inner wall surface 4c in the water jacket 4. (See FIG. 3(b)). In FIG. 2, the cellulosic sponge 7 shown by the two-dot chain line is in a compressed state, and the cellulosic sponge 7 shown by the solid line is in a state restored from the compressed state.

In FIG. 2, the spacer 5 is arranged in the water jacket 4 of the cylinder block 2, the cylinder head 10 is integrally fastened to the upper surface of the cylinder block 2, and the oil pan 11 is fastened integrally to the lower surface of the cylinder block 2. Is shown. Further, FIG. 2 shows a state in which the piston 12 is incorporated between the cylinder bore 3 and the oil pan 11. The cylinder head 10 is integrally fastened to the cylinder block 2 via the cylinder head gasket 10a so that the opening 40 of the water jacket 4 is closed. In this fastening state, the combustion chamber 10b is positioned above the upper opening of the cylinder bore 3. In the cylinder bore 3, a piston 12 having a plurality (three in the illustrated example) of piston rings 12a, 12b, 12c is provided slidably in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder bore wall 3a so as to be capable of reciprocating along the axial direction. The reciprocating motion of the piston 12 is converted into an axial rotation motion (one-dot chain line) of the crankshaft 12f via the connecting rod 12d and the crank pin 12e. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the piston 12 is at the top dead center. The cellulosic sponge 7 is the piston closest to the combustion chamber 10b when the piston 12 is at the top dead center on the cylinder bore 3 side of the spacer body 6 with the spacer 5 arranged in the water jacket 4. It is provided so as to be located on the crankshaft 12f side along the depth direction b of the water jacket 4 from the position of the ring 12a.

When the engine (internal combustion engine) 1 configured as described above operates, the heat generated by the combustion chamber 10b heats the cylinder bore wall 3a. If the temperature of the cylinder bore wall 3a becomes too high, the temperature of the atmosphere in the combustion chamber 10b becomes high, which may cause knocking. Therefore, the cylinder bore wall 3a is cooled by the cooling water flowing in the water jacket 4, and this action suppresses knocking. However, in addition to the cylinder bore wall 3a on the combustion chamber 10b side, the cooling water also cools the cylinder bore wall 3a on the oil pan 11 side where the temperature rise is relatively small compared to the cylinder bore wall 3a on the combustion chamber 10b side. .. Therefore, the cylinder bore wall 3a on the oil pan 11 side is in a supercooled state, the viscosity of the oil adhering to the piston rings 12a, b, c is kept high, and the frictional resistance of the piston 12 in the cylinder bore 3 is increased. growing. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, a spacer 5 having a cellulosic sponge 7 is arranged in the water jacket 4. The spacer 5 restricts the flow of the cooling water (flow rate, flow velocity, etc.) flowing through the water jacket 4 so as to block it, and the temperature of the cylinder bore wall 3a is appropriately controlled. In particular, since the cellulosic sponge 7 is provided so as to have the above-described positional relationship with the spacer body 6, the flow rate of the cooling water becomes large on the side close to the combustion chamber 10b and the The heating of the cylinder bore wall 3a on the near side is effectively suppressed. Further, the presence of the cellulose-based sponge 7 restricts the flow of cooling water in the water jacket 4, and suppresses the supercooling of the cylinder bore wall 3a on the oil pan 11 side. That is, it is possible to improve the cooling performance on the side of the cylinder bore wall 3a that is likely to reach a high temperature, while lowering the cooling performance on the side of the cylinder bore wall 3a where it is difficult to reach a high temperature, and to appropriately cool the cylinder bore wall 3a.

3A and 3B schematically show a process of assembling the spacer 5 of the present embodiment to the water jacket 4. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the spacer 5 manufactured as described above is inserted into the water jacket 4 through the opening 40 and arranged. Since the total thickness d of the spacer body 6 and the cellulosic sponge 7 is set as described above, the cellulosic sponge 7 may interfere with the edges of the opening 40 of the water jacket 4 and the inner wall surfaces 4c, 4d. Therefore, the spacer 5 can be inserted into the water jacket 4 without any load. Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the cylinder head 10 is integrally fastened to the cylinder block 2 and the cooling water w flows through the water jacket 4, the cellulosic sponge 7 is restored from the compressed state as described above, The surface 7a of the cellulosic sponge 7 contacts the inner wall surface 4c of the water jacket 4. Therefore, when there is a request to block the flow of the cooling water w, the request can be surely met.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 3C, the fibrous filler 8a is carried in the sponge structure 70 of the cellulosic sponge 7 in a state of being oriented so as to intersect with the flow direction a of the cooling water w. Therefore, the fibrous filler 8a functions to reduce the water flow porosity of the cooling water w and increase the water flow resistance of the cooling water w. As a result, when the fibrous filler 8a is carried in the sponge tissue 70 in a state of being oriented in the flow direction a of the cooling water w in the water jacket 4 or in a random (non-oriented) state. The amount of the cooling water w passing through the sponge structure 70 of the cellulosic sponge 7 is smaller than that of FIG. Therefore, the spacer 5 can effectively regulate the flow of the cooling water w. Further, the action of blocking the cooling water w of the cellulosic sponge 7 is effectively exerted, the supercooling of the cylinder bore wall 3a on the oil pan 11 side is suppressed, and the entire cylinder bore wall 3a is properly cooled. Further, since the fibrous filler 8a is carried in the sponge tissue 70, the cellulosic sponge 7 is reinforced, and the deformation of the cooling water w in the water jacket 4 with respect to the flow pressure is reduced. As a result, the function of restricting the flow of the cooling water w is maintained high.
Further, since the cellulosic sponge 7 can be kept in a compressed state without using chemicals or the like, the processing step of the cellulosic sponge 7 can be simplified. Further, there is no concern that the cooling water w or the environment will be adversely affected. Moreover, since the cellulosic sponge 7 is made of a natural material, it can be obtained at a low price, and it does not adversely affect the natural environment, and it is disposed of. Can be easily incinerated.

3(c) conceptually shows the sponge structure 70 of the cellulosic sponge 7 and the fibrous filler 8a for convenience. Therefore, the state in which the cellulose fibers forming the cellulosic sponge 7 are entangled with each other, the state of voids formed between the entangled cellulose fibers, and the fibrous filler 8a supported on the sponge tissue 70 are not realistically represented. Absent. In particular, regarding the fibrous filler 8a, the linear shape and the orientation state thereof are emphasized, but in reality, those having different lengths and thicknesses are mixed, and those that are not oriented are Some of them are bent.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the regulating member according to the present invention. In the cellulosic sponge 7 according to this embodiment, the flaky filler 8b is used as the filler 8. Also in FIG. 4, for convenience, the cellulosic sponge 7, the sponge tissue 70, and the flaky filler 8b are conceptually shown. In particular, the flaky filler 8 has a flaky shape or other shapes, but in FIG. 4, the planar shape is schematically shown as an elliptical shape. In addition, it is desirable that most of the flaky fillers 8b are carried on the sponge tissue 70 so that most of the flaky fillers 8b are oriented so as to intersect the cooling water flow direction a. So it is difficult (not impossible) to orient. Therefore, FIG. 4 shows that the flaky filler material 8b is carried by the sponge tissue 70 in a state of being oriented in various directions. That is, the flaky filler material 8b shown in the elliptical shape having the shortest diameter is parallel to the paper surface, and the others are not parallel to the paper surface. Furthermore, the flaky filler material 8b shown in a straight shape is perpendicular to the paper surface. Although not shown in the figure, in the process of manufacturing the cellulosic sponge 7 from the cellulosic slurry, the flaky filler material 8b may be deformed (bent, etc.) or broken by the application of a mechanical external force. Therefore, these flaky fillers 8b are also mixed and supported on the sponge tissue 70.

Like the present embodiment, the cellulosic sponge 7 in which the flaky filler material 8b is carried in the sponge tissue 70 is also in a compressed state in the same manner as the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 on one side (inner surface) of the spacer body 6. ) 6a, and the spacer 5 is constituted by this. The spacer 5 of the present embodiment is also inserted and arranged in the water jacket 4 through the opening 40. Therefore, at the time of insertion into the water jacket 4, the cellulosic sponge 7 has not yet been restored to the state before compression, so that it interferes with the edge of the opening 40 of the water jacket 4 and the inner wall surfaces 4c and 4d. Without it, it is inserted in the state where the load does not act. When the cooling water circulates in the water jacket 4, the cellulosic sponge 7 is brought into contact with the cooling water w and restored from the compressed state, and the surface 7a of the cellulosic sponge 7 is displaced to the cylinder bore 3 side and the inside of the water jacket 4 It contacts the inner wall surface 4c. With this, when there is a request to block the flow of the cooling water w, it is possible to reliably meet the request. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the flaky filler 8b is used as the filler 8, the number of flat portions facing the flow direction a of the cooling water w increases, and the water resistance of the cooling water w increases. The flow of the cooling water w can be regulated more effectively.

As the flaky filler 8b, a material made of a rubber-like elastic material, a material made of a cellulose material, or the like is preferably adopted. As the cellulosic material, those composed of cellulosic fibers sticking to each other and those composed of regenerated cellulose such as cellophane are preferably adopted. In the case where the cellulose fibers are formed by sticking together, the cellulose fibers forming the flaky filler material 8b are entangled in the sponge tissue 70, so that the interfacial strength between the flaky filler material 8b and the sponge tissue 70 becomes high. Therefore, the flaky filler material 8b has an advantage that it is easily supported in the sponge tissue 70. The constituent materials of these flaky fillers 8b are appropriately selected and adopted according to the required specifications.

FIG. 5 shows another application example of the restriction member according to the present invention. The regulating member 50 of this example is also arranged in the water jacket 4 as in the above example, but is arranged in the shortest path from the cooling water introduction port 2b to the cooling water discharge port 2c in the water jacket 4. It functions to block the flow of cooling water in this part. The regulation member 50 includes a resin columnar core material 9 as a support and a cellulosic sponge 7 supported so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the core material 9. The cellulosic sponge 7 is fixed and integrated with an adhesive or the like so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the core material 9 in a compressed state as in the above example. The core material 9 is a rod-shaped body that is tapered downward along the depth direction b of the water jacket 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The inner wall surfaces 4c and 4d of the water jacket 4 in which the regulation member 50 is arranged are formed with recesses 4ca and 4da, respectively, which face each other, and the regulation member 50 has both side portions in the recesses 4ca and 4da. Are positioned in the water jacket 4 so that they fit in with a gap. Then, when the cooling water w is circulated through the water jacket 4, the cellulosic sponge 7 comes into contact with the cooling water w to be restored from the compressed state and contact the inner surfaces of the recesses 4ca and 4da. As a result, the circulation of the cooling water w that is going from the cooling water inlet 2b to the cooling water outlet 2c in the shortest path is blocked. Therefore, the cooling water introduced from the cooling water introduction port 2b goes around the substantially entire circumference of the water jacket 4 in one direction as shown by an arrow a, and then from the cooling water discharge port 2c to the cylinder head (not shown) side. Will be discharged.

Also in this example, the same filling material 8 (the fibrous filling material 8a or the flaky filling material 8b) as described above is carried in the tissue 70 of the cellulosic sponge 7. Since the water flow resistance of w is increased, the circulation of the cooling water w from the cooling water introduction port 2b toward the cooling water discharge port 2c in the shortest path can be blocked more reliably. Further, since both sides of the regulating member 50 are fitted in the recesses 4ca, 4da with a gap, the cellulosic sponge 7 interferes with the edge of the opening 40 of the water jacket 4 and the recesses 4ca, 4da. The restriction member 50 can be inserted into the water jacket 4 in a state in which the load is less likely to act.

1 to 3, the average fiber length of the fibrous filler 8a is larger than the average pore diameter of the cellulosic sponge 7, but the average fiber length is not limited to this. A fibrous filler 8a having an average fiber length smaller than the average pore diameter of the cellulosic sponge 7 may be used. Further, the amount of the fibrous filler 8a carried in the sponge tissue 70 may be larger than or equal to the cellulose component of the cellulosic sponge 7.
In addition, various types of cellulosic sponges can be used, but the sponge is not particularly limited. For example, any of a fine grain product having a very small bubble size, a small grain product having a small bubble size, and a medium grain product having a medium bubble size may be used. Specifically, a cellulosic sponge having a bubble size (diameter) of about 0.1 to 5 mm may be used. The size of these bubbles is determined by the particle size of crystalline Glauber's salt used in the production process of the cellulosic sponge. Further, the cellulose-based sponge, in addition to the sponge consisting of cellulose itself, a cellulose derivative leaving a hydroxyl group of cellulose to the extent that a compressed state can be retained, for example, a sponge composed of cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, or the like, or It may be selected from any of the sponges made of these mixtures. Further, the cellulosic sponge 7 may also serve as a fixing portion that positions the spacer body 6 at a predetermined position of the water jacket 4, in addition to the role as a regulating portion that regulates the flow of cooling water. In this case, the surface of the cellulosic sponge 7 comes into contact with the facing wall surface of the water jacket 4, so that the spacer body 6 is positioned at a predetermined position of the water jacket 4.

Further, the example in which the supports 6 and 9 are formed of synthetic resin molded bodies has been described, but other materials may be used as long as they are more rigid than the cellulosic sponge 7, such as metal. Further, the position at which the cellulosic sponge 7 is fixed in the spacer body 6 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 may be appropriately changed depending on the purpose. For example, the cellulosic sponge 7 may be fixed to a portion of the inner surface of the spacer body 6 corresponding to the constricted portion 4a of the water jacket 4. Further, the spacer body 6 in these examples is a tubular body that matches the overall shape of the water jacket 4, but it may be a so-called partial spacer that can be arranged at a proper position in the water jacket 4. .. That is, it may have any shape as long as it can function as a support for supporting the cellulosic sponge 7. Further, the surface 7a of the cellulosic sponge 7 restored from the compressed state comes into contact with the inner inner wall surface 4c of the water jacket 4 on the cylinder bore 3 side, but is not limited to this, and it comes into contact with the outer inner wall surface 4d. May be In this case, the cellulosic sponge 7 is supported on the outer surface of the spacer body 6 (the surface opposite to the cylinder bore 3 ). Furthermore, as the internal combustion engine to which the restriction member of the present invention is applied, a three-cylinder engine has been illustrated, but the invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to engines having other numbers of cylinders. It is also applicable to internal combustion engines for other industrial machines. Further, the regulation member of the present invention can be applied to an engine equipped with a closed deck type water jacket. Furthermore, the restricting member of the present invention is not limited to in-line engines, but can be applied to V-type engines and horizontally opposed engines.

1 engine (internal combustion engine)
2 Cylinder block 4 Water jacket (cooling water flow path)
5 Spacer (regulating member)
50 Restriction member 6 Spacer body (support)
7 Cellulose Sponge 70 Sponge Structure 8 Filler 81a Fibrous Filler 81b Flaky Filler 9 Core Material (Support)
a Cooling water flow (direction)
w Cooling water

Claims (8)

A regulating member arranged in a cooling water passage provided in a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine to regulate the flow of cooling water,
A support having rigidity formed in a shape that can be arranged in the cooling water flow path,
A cellulosic sponge supported by the support and capable of being restored from a compressed state by contact with cooling water,
A regulating member, wherein a filling material for increasing water resistance of the cooling water is carried in a sponge structure of the cellulosic sponge. The regulation member according to claim 1,
The said filler is a fibrous filler, The restriction member characterized by the above-mentioned. The regulating member according to claim 2,
The regulating member, wherein the fibrous filler is carried in the sponge tissue in a state in which a longitudinal direction of the fibrous filler is oriented in a direction intersecting a flow of cooling water in the cooling water passage. The regulation member according to claim 1,
The restriction member is characterized in that the filler is a flaky filler. The regulating member according to claim 4,
The restriction member is characterized in that the flaky filler is made of a rubber-like elastic material. The regulating member according to claim 4,
The restriction member is characterized in that the flaky filler is made of a cellulose material. The regulation member according to claim 6,
The regulation member is characterized in that the cellulosic material is formed by sticking together cellulose fibers. A cellulosic sponge as one component of a regulating member that is disposed in a cooling water passage provided in a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine to regulate the flow of cooling water,
It is possible to recover from the compressed state by contacting with the cooling water,
A cellulosic sponge characterized in that a filling material for increasing the water resistance of the cooling water is carried in the sponge tissue.

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